"Ascending" in music refers to a musical movement or progression that moves from lower to higher pitches, either within a single melodic line or across different musical parts.
For example, when a musical passage or melody ascends, it means that the successive notes are moving from lower pitches to higher pitches. This can occur in various musical contexts, including melodies, scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions. Ascending melodies often create a feeling of upliftment, aspiration, or progression, as they naturally evoke a sense of growth and positive momentum.